Parish Nurse Ministry

Parish Nursing is a specialty area of professional nursing that integrates nursing and ministry within a faith community. The focus of the Parish Nurse Ministry is to function as a healing and teaching ministry by following Christ’s example and seeking to care for the body, mind, and soul. This is accomplished by intentionally caring for the human spirit through health and wellness promotion, prayer, and emotional and spiritual presence within a parish community. The Parish Nurse ministry does not provide direct hands on nursing care but rather works to empower parishioners to attain physical, spiritual, and emotional wellness. 

Highlights from 2021

Parish nurse ministries continued to touch the lives of approximately 1,000 parishioners each month. Outreach efforts included hosting flu shot clinics, offering virtual prayer groups, and collaborating with other parish-based ministries. In some parishes, blood drives were coordinated or weekly bulletin blurbs were created offering health tips and education. Parish nurses hosted live sessions on social media platforms allowing parishioners to engage safely and ask health related questions of nurses and other qualified healthcare professionals. Videos were produced to help parishioners learn best evidence-based practice techniques to take their blood pressure at home. CPR classes were also offered, teaching community members essential life-saving skills. 

The Fall 2021 Foundations of Faith Community Nursing course was held virtually, with five nurses completing the course. The course is the only foundations course offered in the state of New Jersey. 

Parish nursing programs continue to expand throughout the Diocese and those already established are blessed to have the continued annual grant support from VITALity Healthcare Services.

Parish Nurse Ministries and Grants help to provide parish communities with:

  • Facilitating and providing course materials for evidence-based health promotion programs
  • Educational presentations
  • Organizing parish-based health fairs with local community resources
  • Blood pressure screening equipment
  • Help with transportation to parishioner doctor’s appointments
  • Purchasing Automated External Defibrillators (AED) for parishes and parish centers
  • Offering CPR training classes at local parishes
  • Purchasing First-Aid kits for parishes and parish centers

Who is a Parish Nurse?

Traditionally parish nurses are licensed professional nurses with various degrees and professional backgrounds. They aim to blend their nursing experience in medicine, health education, advocacy and health promotion with ministry work in their local parish. More recently, health professionals from varying backgrounds in medicine have been integrated into this ministry as well. 

Recognizing that every health professional contributes their own unique healthcare background, we encourage and welcome all healthcare professionals interested in blending their healthcare experience with ministry life, supporting a holistic approach to health and wellness of the body, mind, and spirit to consider joining the parish nurse ministry. 

Parish Nursing Mission Statement

To serve the Church, the Body of Christ, as His healing hands reaching out to support and promote the health of the mind, body, and spirit of each person throughout the Diocese of Camden. 

Role of a Parish Nurse

  • Health Educator: Promotes understanding of the relationship between faith, lifestyle, and overall well-being by incorporating relative health information across the life span. 
  • Health Advocate: Works to empower individuals within the faith community by teaching self-care and promoting wellness.
  • Personal Health Counselor: Works with individual faith community members discussing individual health needs to promote health & wellness.
  • Facilitator: Works in the local faith community to organize volunteers.
  • Healer: Promotes a holistic approach to healing the mind, body, and spirit through education, prayer, and presence during times of health crisis.

Interested in Parish Nursing?

If you would like more information or be on our email list to be notified of future Parish Nursing courses, workshops, and events, please complete the form below.